Writing – Page 2 – Christine Smith

Why I Believe in Happily Ever Afters

Post published:June 12, 2023
Post category:Writing
Post comments:15 Comments

It is always the great debate: Should every story end with a happily ever after? Certainly not. Art is entirely subjective, and each story should have its own unique ending. But today I want to discuss why happily ever afters can be such powerful storytelling tools. Many people associate happily ever afters (HEAs) with fairy tales (which is kind of funny as a great number of fairy tales are far closer to tragedies *points to most of Hans Christian Andersen's works*). In doing so, the implication is that HEAs only happen to fictional princesses who can speak to woodland animals…

FicFrenzy’s Summer Event is Coming!

Post published:May 29, 2023
Post category:Writing
Post comments:14 Comments

Hello, my friends! I have some exciting news to share today with all my fellow writers. I hope this spring has been filled to the brim with loveliness for you all. It's hard to believe we are on the cusp of summer (though the temperatures in my neck of the woods have decided summer is already here, no matter the date). I must admit, summer is not exactly my favorite season, BUT there is an excitement encompassing the season that cannot help but draw me in. Sunsets on long evenings, the sound of fireworks, pool days, the smell of hamburgers…

Announcement // Opening Writing Coach Services!

Post published:April 11, 2023
Post category:Writing
Post comments:10 Comments

Hello, friends! I have some BIG NEWS today. Since the beginning of the year, I've been hinting at a writing related project that I am very excited about. Well, today, at last, is the day for the big reveal, and, goodness, am I excited. Ready for the news? I am offering coaching services to writers! With an emphasis on... Balancing your writing on top of the stress and chaos of life Aiding in developing characters to bring out the true heart of your story Helping you seek and hold on to the pure joy of storytelling I cannot wait to…

Announcement: FicFrenzy Spring Event + Newsletter!

Post published:February 20, 2023
Post category:Writing
Post comments:20 Comments

Calling all writers! I have some very exciting things to share with you today! If you were around during the fall of last year, you may remember I launched a brand new writing challenge that took place from October 15 - November 15 called the Fall Fiction Frenzy Writing Challenge, or simply FallFic. For a glorious word-filled fall, a great number of us convened in an exclusive Discord group where we cheered each other on as we made progress on our various WIPs and just had a grand time gathering with fellow writers. That first event was, more or less,…

2022 In Review // My Highlights and Favorite Things

Post published:December 12, 2022
Post category:Life
Post comments:18 Comments

2022 only has three weeks left! I do not understand how that is possible. It has been a blazing, whirlwind of a year but so much goodness came of it as well. So as we near its close, I'd like to look back at the highlights and reminisce. 2020 and 2021 were pretty tough years in many ways, and though 2022 had plenty of challenges, it was better, I think. Or perhaps my perspective of things has improved. These past few years have definitely been ones of learning, of adapting to changes and seeking the little good things amidst the…

A Shift of NaNoWriMo Plans + An Invitation

Post published:August 29, 2022
Post category:Writing
Post comments:32 Comments

A few months ago, I made a hard choice. Over time this difficult decision solidified and grew and turned into something exciting. And I realized it's okay to let go of things, GOOD even, because often letting go makes way for new, better things. If you've known me for any time at all, you probably know I've been obsessed with NaNoWriMo for many, many years. NaNo a.k.a. National Novel Writing Month, is a challenge that takes place every November to write a 50k word novel within 30 days. Absolutely crazy, yes. Exhausting, definitely yes. Worth it? 100% The first time…

Being a Creative // A Love Letter to the Creators

Post published:May 30, 2022
Post category:Writing
Post comments:26 Comments

Being a writer, or any type of creative, can seem like a peculiar thing. Those on the outside watching don’t always understand, and we ourselves experience such a rollercoaster of joys and struggles in this particular way of life we’ve shaped for ourselves. Thomas Mann said: “A writer is a person for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people.” That quote has rung with me for years. When we know the rules and spend so much time doing something, it far too quickly falls into being a chore. Those glorious days of madly typing or scribbling…

2021 In Review // Looking Back At The Year + Hiatus Notice

Post published:December 13, 2021
Post category:Life
Post comments:32 Comments

Somehow we have made it through yet another year! In a mere few weeks we'll be saying goodbye to 2021 and looking to all the possibilities of 2022. But before diving into all the newness, I want to take a moment to reflect. I'm pretty sure I claim this every year, but I mean it when I say this was the fastest year ever. January happened and then I blinked and here is December and I'm scrambling around looking for all the other months because where did they go??? It's like nothing happened this year, it whizzed by so fast.…

I Have Returned // What I Did & What’s Next

Post published:August 9, 2021
Post category:Life
Post comments:52 Comments

Happy August, my elflings! I am officially back from my hiatus and my GOODNESS have I missed posting and talking with you all! July zipped on by like it had somewhere to be and couldn’t be bothered to linger long, while at the same time it feels as if it’s been positively ages since I’ve posted and been on any semblance of a routine. My task-oriented self is rather pleased to be settling back into a more productive schedule, but it was a good hiatus. Like a really good hiatus. So today I thought I’d simply share some of the…

Know the Novel – Part Three: It Is Written {A Writers Linkup}

Post published:December 1, 2020
Post category:Writing
Post comments:28 Comments

WE MADE IT. NaNoWriMo is behind us and December has ARRIVED! And with it comes the 3rd and final part of this year’s Know the Novel! Are you alive? Am I alive??? Are our characters alive? (Probably not all of them…) NaNoWriMo is always such a wild ride full of exhausting days and existential crisis days and euphoric days. But, for me, it is always, always worth it for that sense of accomplishment, for knowing I took the time for my stories and made WORDS. But not just words, I grew, I learned, I lived an incredible journey. NaNoWriMo is…